Any recommendations for makeup for this face? (Warning: Contains a mugshot)

[DodgySpot]

I've recently decided to start taking care of myself for the first time better.

Don't worry about the hair, a professional has been notified and will shortly be dealing with it

I'd love some recommendations for a foundation that would cover the pores/acne marks and actually make my skin look smoother.

I tried some of the testers out at boots but I don't really know what I'm doing and they seemed to make my skin look worse.

I'm happy with any other makeup tips going too, I grew up in a family where makeup was frowned on so I never wore it or learned how to.

But fuck it I want to feel pretty for once!

Help me

[DodgySpot]

Oops forgot my face

Here it is

[DerelictMyBalls]

Well you're pretty and have a lovely smile, so that's a good start!

I'd suggest a bit of mineral powder (Lily Lolo or Smashbox) and a touch of light pink blusher. Maybe define your eyebrows a bit and add a bit of mascara (I like Lancome Hypnose).

You look young and fresh so don't need much.

[DodgySpot]

Thank you Derelict, I'm about to hit thirty which pretty much triggered this off I think.

I was going to see someone to 'thread' my eyebrows, my friend exon ended someone. Would that define them?

I will try out that you've suggested 😊

[PollyPerky]

I'd have a play around with some reasonably priced foundation maybe Boots No 7 or Rimmel to see what you like- whether full coverage, or a more dewy light cover. Clinique and Bobbi Brown also do good make overs at the counter.

I think your eyes are calling out for mascara - a good couple of coats- and your eyebrows could look lovely with a tiny bit of tidying up and a very small amount of pencil or brown shadow to even up the colouring.

You've got a generous mouth (lucky you!) so I'd suggest a slick of lipgloss or a semi-matte lipstick- nothing too harsh. Soap and Glory and Rimmel have some nice nude shades.

Maybe some eye liner/ crayon just to give some definition, and some cream blusher in a rosy shade- you seem to have a pink and white complexion.

[SilverBat]

I agree with Derelict. You really don't need much, you have lovely big eyes and a smiley face so that is what people would focus on anyway.
I always tell my DD who obsesses over her skin that you have to remember you are studying it up close in a mirror. That is not how people stand when they meet you!

[PollyPerky]

Eyebrows are only 'tidied' from under the arch - not above- so bear that in mind. Don't get them too thin- that's old hat! But you look as if the hair is quite sparse in places so you need to fill that in. Again, budget brands like Rimmel have eyebrow kits with a couple of colours in the palette and sometimes a gel/ wax to set it all with.

[DodgySpot]

Brilliant thank you everyone

I'll have an idea what I'm looking for/trying out now!

Yes they are a bit patchy (eyebrows)

[Whatdowedo]

I'm 30 too and always loved playing around with makeup.
Why don't you go to a Estée Lauder or Lancôme counter( you don't have to buy any products from them and it's free) and they will talk you through shades of foundation/lippy/eyeshadow that will suit and probably give you some testers too.
They will tell you what colours etc suit your face.
Then you can hit some makeup counters (rimmel and mua is super cheap and actually decent) and get yourself a few things.
Also I don't know if you have heard a sight called fragrance direct..but they sell makeup too.
I buy mine from there and it's so much cheaper then Superdrug etc

[Whatdowedo]

Site not sight (typing too fast)

[PollyPerky]

I agree with What but I think Bobbi Brown do a much more natural make up / make over the Lauder. Can you get to a store? try stuff out?

Also what's the budget? A full set of make up from BB could set you back £150 + easily. If you want to experiment with colours and textures, Rimmel or Bourjois or L'Oreal would set you back around £30 for a few basic products- foundation, blusher, mascara, lippie , eye pencil and eyebrow kit.

[DodgySpot]

I think I saw some of those counters in my local Debanhams.

Quite looking forward to trying all this out now

[DodgySpot]

I'll be completely honest I've never heard of BB, I'll check if there is a nearby store.

I'm quite happy to invest to look a bit nicer.

[PollyPerky]

Pop onto the Bobbi Brown website //www.bobbibrown.co.uk and watch some of the tutorials on putting on the slap! They are really good- starts with foundation etc. They also do refunds on any foundation, concealer and powder bought online. I sometimes try in store then if I'm unsure, order online knowing I can return if not happy with it. You need colour matching with all foundations but more so if they cost £30.
I think the only product worth investing in is foundation- I'd pay £30 as it lasts 6 months, but I feel happier economising on other things like lippie and so on.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon eye pencils (different colours for different shades of eye) are foolproof and very flattering on everyone. I've bought them as birthday presents for several friends and all have loved them. You have lovely eyes, so worth highlighting. Her Light Wonder foundation is spendy but really good, easy to use and gives a light , soft finish to your skin. I think it is really worth throwing cash at foundation tbh. I've had decent budget mascaras, but never foundation. I only use it where I need a little bit of cover, not all over my face, so it does last for a while.

[DodgySpot]

Tutorials! Fantastic thankyou!

Those sound good SirVix I shall give them a Google.

[blueberrygoose]

I think your skin looks really good so a light foundation just to even it out a bit and a touch of blusher. Your eyes will pop with some mascara and your whole face will be defined by just filling in your eyebrows a bit. I don't think you will need much makeup, just emphasising what you already have! Oh and a slick of gloss or lipstick

[Cellardoor23]

I have the same sort of complexion as you and almost 30 lol. I usually use a bit BB cream (seventeen blemish BB balm is pretty good) bare minerals stroke of light eye brightener and Benefit blusher Hoola. Sometimes I use the benefit posie tint on the apple of my cheeks to enhance the glow.

Like others have said you really don't need much! Just little bits to enhance your features. I only use a tiny bit of each of those products and it's lasted me ages.

If you're looking for a good mascara i would recommend 'they're real' It really makes your eyes pop!

[ProjectGainsborough]

The first thing I thought was 'lovely brows'

If you do get them tidied, make it minimal intervention!

[mimishimmi]

Your eyes are gorgeously large but hooded which means that if you just put colour on the lids, it will 'disappear'. Putting thick eyeliner could make them look beady. You want to create the illusion of a more prominent mobile lid (the bit you can't see), by blending a matte midtone shade above the crease - so basically on the hood that you can see . You don't want to heavily highlight that bit as done in so many youtube tutorials by girls with a different eye^ shape. Nor do you want to put a really dark colour there unless it is blended up from the lashline for an evening lolok. For everyday, put the highlight shade on your mobile lid,^ inner corner of the eye and in a very thin line just under more defined brows (fill in with powder or pencil 1 shade darker than brow colour and brush with clean mascara wand). You don't need lots of expensive palettes but invest in at least two good brushes - a small flat 'cat's tongue' brush, a medium sized blending brush and a good eye primer like Mac's Soft Ochre. A very thin line of brown gel eyeliner on top, no flick, and light brown powder blended on lower lash line. Lots of mascara top and bottom is good but when applying to the top lashes, only apply it from underneath because otherwise the product will transfer to the hooded part of your eye. Your skin is quite pinkish which I think is lovely and youthful but if you wanted to tone it down a bit you could put a green primer underneath a foundation like YSL's Touche Eclat or Chanel's Vitalumiere.

[RonaldMcDonald]

I like colorstay make up by revlon - good coverage and great if your skin is combo
Do you use a BHA for your pores? Might be worth a try see what you think.
I have been loving benefit's eyebrow range. I have a little pot like a dumpy oddly shaped mascara from which you pull a tiny mascara wand and use it on your brows to colour and fill them in. I really really like it. As the lady to put it on and see what you think.
I think you look great btw and have a great base to start from.

[KoalaDownUnder]

Man, fill in your brows and add some mascara, and your eyes will come up amaaaaazing. Quite jealous!

[AngharadTheSplendid]

Watch some of Jaclyn Hill's makeup tutorials on YouTube, she is a professional makeup artist and fountain of knowledge when it comes to tips, tricks and great products.

[Gatekeeper]

Nothing much to add but wanted to say you have such a lovely, open smiley pretty face with wonderful eyes and mouth

[Whatthequack]

You skin would definitely suit Chanel vitalumiere. I would advise that you get a eyebrow pencil or powder, Anastasia is a great brand for eyebrow make up. But my favourite make up item is

[Whatthequack]

Oops posted by accident. Anyway my favourite item in my make up bag is an eye pencil by illumasqua called Vow as it's extremely versatile. It's a light nude colour, I use it in my waterline to make my eyes pop and to appear bigger, to correct my eyebrow pencil if I've accidentally went overboard, to draw and blend on top of my Cupid's bow if I'm wearing lipstick, you can even go as far to use it to contour your nose if you wanted.